Lindsay Perigo: Alas, Poor Herald!

Lindsay Perigo and his troublemaking libertarian ideas
are broadcast weekdays, midday to 2 PM, on New Zealand's
Radio Pacific, and on-line at http://www.freeradical.co.nz

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LINDSAY
PERIGO: Alas, Poor Herald!

It's a funny thing, the New
Zealand Herald. It used to be called Granny Herald because
of its conservatism, & lampooned as the print arm of the
National Party. Now it is the print arm of the present
Labour/Alliance government, & it pleases me to call it the
Daily Marxist. Saturday's edition gave great prominence to
two Marxists - cabinet minister Laila Harre & a visiting
anti-free trade activist. As it happens, another political
activist has just arrived in the country - Jim Peron, from
South Africa. He is an accomplished writer & speaker, but
it's unlikely you'll find him splashed over the pages of the
Daily Marxist anytime soon. You see, Jim's message is not
popular with the Herald - it's the same message I shout from
the rooftops: individual freedom & its economic corollaries,
free trade & free markets. Here is how Jim concluded an
article he had published in the Johannesburg Star
recently:

"Worldwide the trend is not merely that the rich
are getting richer but that most people are getting richer,
with the exception of those still living in countries that
follow Marxist policies. People today are living longer,
healthier lives than did their parents. If poverty were
becoming more widespread as wealth concentrates in the hands
of a few, this wouldn't be happening.

"The reason for
improved conditions is that people have greater economic
freedom as more countries liberate citizens from the
oppression of autocratic and dictatorial interference in
voluntary economic exchanges. Economic freedom allows people
to use their innate talents to best advantage. It allows the
rich to get richer, and the poor to get richer faster."

Mr
Peron WILL feature prominently in the next issue of my own
publication, The Free Radical. In the meantime, the Daily
Marxist would rather publish the likes of the following,
from Laila Harre on Saturday:

"One of my biggest
weaknesses is my failure to plan. I think the state should
do that."

Well, the Herald is a private publication & is
free to publish what it wants, but I do find it odd when
free enterprise gives such avid exposure to its enemies. I
put it down to the education system having done its work -
the young generation has been thoroughly steeped in the
bromides of anti-capitalism, big government & Political
Correctness, & the new breed of journalists is reflecting
that fact. One simple question, though, should give Daily
Marxist luminaries cause for pause - would they want their
own newspaper to be taken over by the government?

Sat 14 July, ** Capitalism &
Christianity - Allies or Enemies? ** 9am to 4pm, Seminar at
Auckland University Conference Centre, presenting Jim's
important new book discussing the conflict between
capitalism and Christianity. Tickets $30 each. Attendees
will be able to purchase advance copies of Jim's new book at
an attractively discounted price. Ring (021) 459 305 for
details.

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